Review of Up On It
August 02, 2004
| The following review is reprinted with permission from the Walla Walla Blues Society. ********************************** Rose City Kings Up On It-2004 Rose City Kings Sometimes you hear something so good it almost feels like a guilty pleasure. This second CD by Portland powerhouse band, Rose City Kings, is one of those. The Northwest’s representative in the Memphis Challenge recently beat out heavy favorite Randy Oxford Band and a few other hot acts to win the honor of competing in Memphis. If you have heard their first CD, “Delta Hop’, and then listened to this one you understand the appeal. The two CDs are completely different approaches to the Rose City brand of guitar and harp-heavy blues. The first CD with the screeching vocals of the title song grabbed you by the short hairs and made you sit up and take notice. This second CD is more traditional in that each song relies more on the message in the lyrics and the nice instrumental blends written by lead singer, guitarist Dan Berkery (AKA King Bee). Of course there is still plenty of inspired harmonica playing by Joe “Super” Powers. And Jeff “El Nino” Simonson’s keyboards get a little more exposure too. Roger Espinor’s drum playing is tops and Ron Camacho’s bass keeps everything honest. This band is headed to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge in February. On the way they are stopping in to tear up the closing hour and half of the Hot August Blues Festival. Several fans are vowing to go with the Rose City Kings all the way to Memphis. I’m sure when the Hot August Bleus crowd sees them on August 21st there might be several more willing to make that trip. This band is hot man. This CD is hot. I’d have to say that my favorite song is “Double Belly Twist”. It’s raw, sexy and fun. If I had never met these guys I could honestly say that these two CDs would have made me a lifelong fan. It’s not often that a band comes around as fresh, with as much energy and original music as the Rose City Kings. “Biggdaddy” Ray Hansen Walla Walla Blues Society President Blues News Editor |
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